Inflatable Construction Set

ABSTRACT

An inflatable construction set comprising a plurality of inflatable modular blocks in various shapes and sizes for easy construction of various structures is provided. Each inflatable modular block has substantially planar top and bottom surfaces and an attachment means on each of the top and bottom surfaces so that a plurality of inflatable modular blocks are capable of being stably stacked in any orientation. Preferably, each inflatable modular block has at least one interior rib inside the modular block to reinforce the structure of the substantially planar top and bottom surfaces of the modular block. An inflatable construction set in accordance with the present invention may further include various accessory modules such as inflatable doors, windows, turrets, roof system, and other construction components.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an educational device and playstructure and, more particularly, to an inflatable construction setcomprising a plurality of inflatable blocks or modules in various shapesand sizes to form structures of different configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inflatable construction toys are valuable tools for educational playbecause children can develop creativity and imagination while they havefun constructing various structures.

There are different types of inflatable construction toys known in theart. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,007 B1 to David Russell Minchewdiscloses a plurality of inflatable tubular elements having a pluralityof external attachments such as Velcro™, wherein inflatable tubularelements are held together by external attachments and stacked by aplurality of rigid brackets. Since each inflatable tubular element inthe U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,007 B1 has a cylindrical shape, a plurality ofrigid brackets must be utilized to hold the stacks of tubular elements.The use of such rigid brackets is complicated and cumbersome, and thusis not suitable for little children. Moreover, the additional element ofrigid brackets in the inflatable play structure may cause relativelyhigh manufacturing costs.

In addition, the way of stacking the inflatable tubular elements in U.S.Pat. No. 6,679,007 B1 is very limited. The inflatable tubular elementscan only be lined up and cannot be stacked in any other way.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a new and improvedinflatable construction set for easy construction of various structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an inflatableconstruction set that can easily be constructed in a variety ofstructures and overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

An inflatable construction set in accordance with the present inventioncomprises a plurality of inflatable modular blocks. Each modular blockhas substantially planar top and bottom surfaces and an attachment meanslocated on each of the top and bottom surfaces. The substantially planartop and bottom surfaces of each modular block with the attachment meanson each of the substantially planar surfaces enable a plurality ofinflatable modular blocks to be stably stacked such that a bottomsurface of one modular block is placed on a top surface of anothermodular block. Since the inflatable modular blocks can be stacked to belined up or stacked in any orientation, the present invention allows auser to construct a variety of structures in various ways.

Each inflatable modular block has also a valve for inflation anddeflation. An inflatable modular block can be easily stored ortransported in its deflated form.

In a preferred embodiment, each inflatable modular block has at leastone interior rib inside the modular block to reinforce the structure ofthe substantially planar top and bottom surfaces of the modular block. Atop longitudinal edge of the interior rib is adhered to a top plasticfilm of the modular block, and a bottom longitudinal edge of theinterior rib is adhered to a bottom plastic film of the modular block,such that a main plane of the interior rib is substantiallyperpendicular to the substantially planar top and bottom surfaces of themodular block. At least one of side edges of the interior rib does notextend to peripheral edges of the top and bottom plastic films of themodular block so that air can freely flow around the side edge and beevenly distributed inside the modular block.

In an inflatable modular block having a plurality of interior ribs, theinterior ribs are positioned at spaced intervals within the modularblock to further reinforce the structure of the modular block.

An inflatable construction set in accordance with the present inventionmay also include various accessory modules such as inflatable doors,windows, turrets, roof system, and other construction components. Suchaccessory modules can be attached to inflatable modular blocks byattachment devices such as hook and loop fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention, reference should be made to the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable construction setcomprising a plurality of inflatable modular blocks constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inflatable modular block of theinflatable construction set of FIG. 1, wherein the inflatable modularblock has an interior rib.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the inflatable modular block of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the inflatable modular block of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of an inflatable modularblock of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of an inflatable modularblock, wherein the inflatable modular block is substantially roundshaped.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an inflatablemodular block, wherein the inflatable modular block has a plurality ofinterior ribs.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a plurality of inflatable modular blocks,illustrating various modes of assembling the inflatable modular blocks.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inflatable roof module of aninflatable construction set of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a plurality of inflatable roof modulesand inflatable modular blocks, wherein the inflatable roof modules arestacked in series on top of the inflatable modular blocks.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a door module of an inflatableconstruction set of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a turret module of an inflatableconstruction set of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a top view of another embodiment of an inflatable modularblock, wherein an attachment means is adhered to a planar member locatedon a surface of an inflatable modular block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an inflatable construction set 10 comprising aplurality of inflatable modular blocks 20, 22 assembled to form abuilding structure. Each modular block in accordance with the presentinvention has a substantially planar top surface 30 and a substantiallyplanar bottom surface 32. An attachment means 50 is located on each ofthe top and bottom surfaces 30, 32 of each modular block. Thesubstantially planar top and bottom surfaces 30, 32 of each modularblock enable a plurality of inflatable modular blocks to be stacked suchthat a bottom surface 32 of one modular block is placed on a top surface30 of another modular block. When the inflatable modular blocks arestacked in such a way, they can be held together by attachment means 50located on each of adjacent modular blocks. The inflatable modularblocks can be stacked to be lined up as shown in FIG. 1 or stacked inany orientation as shown in FIG. 8. The ability of stacking theinflatable modular blocks in any orientation enables a user to constructa variety of structures in various ways.

The attachment means 50 on the inflatable modular blocks 20, 22 arepreferably hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro™ or any other similardevices known in the art that are attachable to and detachable from eachother. Due to the attachable and detachable property of the attachmentmeans 50, the inflatable modular blocks can be assembled and reassembledto form structures of different configurations. The attachment means 50may be adhered or heat welded to a surface 30, 32 of an inflatablemodular block. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a planar member300, such as a cardboard or a light plastic material, may be attached toa surface 30, 32 of an inflatable modular block, with an attachmentmeans 50 attached to the planar member 300. The size of the planarmember 300 may be similar to or slightly larger than that of theattachment means 50. The number of attachment means 50 on each surface30, 32 of an inflatable modular block varies depending on the sizeand/or the shape of the inflatable modular block or as for any intendedpurpose. Generally, a bigger and/or longer inflatable modular block mayhave more attachment means 50 than a smaller and/or shorter inflatablemodular block, in order to provide a more stable structure.

Each inflatable modular block has a valve 60 for allowing air in and outof the inflatable modular block for inflation and deflation. Air can beblown in the modular block through the valve 60 by a user's mouth, anair pump, or any similar device. When an inflatable modular block isdeflated, it can be easily stored or transported. Preferably, when auser depresses the valve 60, the valve 60 is capable of being recessedso that the valve 60 does not protrude from a surface of the inflatablemodular block.

The inflatable modular blocks 20, 22 may be of various shapes and sizes.For example, FIG. 6 shows an inflatable modular block 22 that issubstantially round shaped. FIGS. 2 through 4 show an inflatable modularblock 20 having an elongated form with curved terminal ends 100. Theelongated inflatable modular blocks 20 may be any length. As an example,the inflatable modular block in FIG. 5 is longer than the inflatablemodular block shown in FIGS. 2 through 4. The use of inflatable modularblocks of different shapes and sizes allows a user to create a varietyof features, such as a tunnel or a window, in various constructions.

The inflatable modular blocks 20, 22 may be transparent and/or ofvarious colors. Also, the inflatable modular blocks 20, 22 may bedecorated with flexible fabric or plastic sheets or any otherdecoration.

Each inflatable modular block is preferably made of flexible plastic.One of skill in the art would recognize that the same or similar methodof making conventional inflatable swimming pool rafts or swim rings canbe used in making the inflatable modular blocks in the presentinvention. Preferably, each inflatable modular block in the presentinvention comprises a top plastic film 70 and a corresponding bottomplastic film 80. Peripheral edge 90 of the top plastic film 70 andperipheral edge 95 of the bottom plastic film 80 are adhered or heatwelded together to form an enclosed air chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, each inflatable modular block has an interiorrib 40 inside the inflatable modular block to reinforce the structure ofthe inflatable modular block, particularly the structure of thesubstantially planar top and bottom surfaces 30, 32 of the modularblock. The interior rib 40 may be made of the same material as those forthe top and bottom plastic films 70, 80 of the inflatable modular block,and may be transparent. The interior rib 40 comprises a main plane 42,side edges 44, a top longitudinal edge 46, and a bottom longitudinaledge 48. The top longitudinal edge 46 of the interior rib 40 is adheredto the top plastic film 70 of the inflatable modular block, and thebottom longitudinal edge 48 of the interior rib 40 is adhered to thebottom plastic film 80 of the modular block, such that the main plane 42of the interior rib 40 is substantially perpendicular to the top andbottom plastic films 70, 80 of the modular block. At least one of theside edges 44 of the interior rib 40 does not extend to the peripheraledges 90, 95 of the modular block such that a space is formed betweenthe side edge 44 of the interior rib 40 and the peripheral edges 90, 95of the modular block. Due to the space, air can freely flow around theside edge 44 and be evenly distributed inside the modular block.

An inflatable modular block may have only one interior rib 40 as shownin FIG. 2 or a plurality of interior ribs 40 as illustrated in FIG. 7.In an inflatable modular block having a plurality of interior ribs 40,the interior ribs 40 are positioned at spaced intervals within themodular block to further reinforce the structure of the modular block.

An inflatable construction set in accordance with the present inventionmay also include various accessory modules such as inflatable doors,windows, turrets, roof system, and other construction components.Examples of such accessory modules are illustrated in FIGS. 9 through12.

FIG. 9 shows an inflatable roof module 110. The inflatable roof module110 has a substantially inverted-V shape and terminal surfaces 120. Eachterminal surface 120 of the inflatable roof module 110 is substantiallyflat such that the roof module 110 is capable of being placed on top ofthe inflatable modular blocks as shown in FIG. 10. An attachment device52 is located on each terminal surface 120 of the inflatable roof module110 so that the attachment device 52 of the roof module 110 engages theattachment means 50 of an inflatable modular block, thereby providing astable construction. One or more attachment devices 52 may also belocated on a side surface 130 of each roof module 110 so that aplurality of roof modules 110 can be stacked in series as illustrated inFIG. 10.

The attachment devices 52 on the inflatable roof module 110 arepreferably hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro™ or any other similardevices known in the art that are attachable to and detachable from eachother. The attachment device 52 may be adhered or heat welded to asurface 120, 130 of the inflatable roof module 110. Alternatively, aplanar member (not shown), such as a cardboard or a light plasticmaterial, may be attached to a surface 120, 130 of the inflatable roofmodule 110, and an attachment device 52 attached to the planar member.The size of the planar member may be similar to or slightly larger thanthat of the attachment device 52.

The inflatable roof module 110 may have a valve for inflation anddeflation, which can be recessed by a user. The inflatable roof module110 is preferably made of flexible plastic and may be transparent.

FIG. 11 illustrates a door module 140. The door module 140 comprises aninflatable door 150, at least one extension 160, and a hinge 155. Theextension 160 has a first end 162 and a second end 164. The first end162 of the extension 160 is attached to the inflatable door 150 by thehinge 155. The inflatable door 150 is capable of rotating about thehinge 155. An attachment device 52 is located on the second end 164 ofthe extension 160 for engaging an attachment means 50 of an inflatablemodular block so that the door module 140 can be attached to inflatablemodular blocks. In order to provide a stable construction, the doormodule 140 may have a pair of extensions 160, each if which is attachedto the top and bottom of the inflatable door 150 respectively as shownin FIG. 11.

The inflatable door 150 of the door module 140 may have an interiorsupport member 170 inside the inflatable door 150. The configuration andarrangement of the interior support member 170 in the inflatable door150 can be substantially same as that of an interior rib 40 in aninflatable modular block. Similar to the interior rib 40 in aninflatable modular block, the interior support member 170 in theinflatable door 150 may have at least one side edge that does not extendto peripheral edges of the inflatable door 150. Alternatively, as shownin FIG. 11, the interior support member 170 that extends to peripheraledges of the inflatable door 150 may have a hole 180 so that air canfreely flow through the hole 180 in order to be evenly distributedinside the inflatable door 150.

The inflatable door 150 may also have a valve 60 for inflation anddeflation, which can be depressed by a user. The inflatable door 150 ispreferably made of flexible plastic and may be transparent. Theextension 160 and the hinge 155 may be made of somewhat rigid materialsuch as rigid plastic. The attachment device 52 on the extension 160 ofthe door module 140 is preferably a hook and loop fastener such asVelcro™ or any other similar device known in the art.

FIG. 12 illustrates a turret module 190. The turret module 190 comprisesan inflatable turret 200 and at least one extension 160. The inflatableturret 200 has a conical top and a cylindrical body. An interior supportmember 210 is located between the conical top and the cylindrical bodyof the inflatable turret 200, and a hole 180 is formed in the interiorsupport member 210 to allow air to flow freely through the hole 180 andbe evenly distributed inside the inflatable turret 200. The extension160 has a first end 162 and a second end 164. The first end 162 of theextension 160 is attached to the inflatable turret 200. An attachmentdevice 52 is located on the second end 164 of the extension 160 forengaging an attachment means 50 of an inflatable modular block so thatthe turret module 190 can be attached to inflatable modular blocks. Inorder to provide a stable construction, the turret module 190 may have apair of extensions 160, each of which is attached to the top and bottomof the cylindrical body of the inflatable turret 200 respectively asshown in FIG. 12.

The inflatable turret 200 may also have a valve 60 for inflation anddeflation, which can be depressed by a user. The inflatable turret 200is preferably made of flexible plastic and may be transparent. Theextension 160 may be made of somewhat rigid material such as rigidplastic. The attachment device 52 on the extension 160 of the turretmodule 190 is preferably a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro™ or anyother similar device known in the art.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner, andit is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be inthe nature of description rather than of limitation. Many modificationsand variations of the present invention are possible in light of theabove teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scopeof the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

1-3. (canceled)
 4. An inflatable construction set comprising: aplurality of inflatable modular blocks, each modular block havingsubstantially planar top and bottom surfaces, an interior rib locatedinside each modular block, and an attachment means located on each ofthe top and bottom surfaces of each modular block such that a bottomsurface of any modular block is capable of being placed on a top surfaceof any other modular block in any orientation.
 5. The inflatableconstruction set of claim 4, wherein each modular block furthercomprises a top plastic film and a bottom plastic film, peripheral edgesof the top plastic film and the bottom plastic film being adheredtogether to form an enclosed air chamber.
 6. The inflatable constructionset of claim 5, wherein the top plastic film and the bottom plastic filmof each modular block are transparent.
 7. The inflatable constructionset of claim 5, wherein the interior rib comprises a main plane, sideedges, a top longitudinal edge, and a bottom longitudinal edge, the toplongitudinal edge of the interior rib adhered to the top plastic film ofthe modular block and the bottom longitudinal edge of the interior ribadhered to the bottom plastic film of the modular block.
 8. Theinflatable construction set of claim 7, wherein a space is formedbetween at least one of the side edges of the interior rib and theperipheral edges so that air can freely flow around the side edge and beevenly distributed inside the modular block. 9-10. (canceled)
 11. Aninflatable construction set comprising: a plurality of inflatablemodular blocks, each modular block having substantially planar top andbottom surfaces, an attachment means located on each of the top andbottom surfaces of each modular block such that a bottom surface of anymodular block is capable of being placed on a top surface of any othermodular block in any orientation, and at least one inflatable roofmodule, the roof module having a substantially inverted-V shape andterminal surfaces, each terminal surface being substantially flat sothat the roof module is capable of being placed on top of the modularblocks.
 12. The inflatable construction set of claim 11, wherein theinflatable roof module further comprises an attachment device, theattachment device located on at least one of the flat terminal surfacesof the roof module.
 13. The inflatable construction set of claim 12,wherein the attachment device is a hook and loop fastener.
 14. Aninflatable construction set comprising: a plurality of inflatablemodular blocks, each modular block having substantially planar top andbottom surfaces, an attachment means located on each of the top andbottom surfaces of each modular block such that a bottom surface of anymodular block is capable of being placed on a top surface of any othermodular block in any orientation, and a plurality of inflatable roofmodules, each roof module having a substantially inverted-V shape andterminal surfaces, each terminal surface of each roof module beingsubstantially flat so that each roof module is capable of being placedon top of the modular blocks, each roof module having at least oneattachment device located on a side surface such that the roof modulescan be stacked in series.
 15. An inflatable construction set comprising:a plurality of inflatable modular blocks, each modular block havingsubstantially planar top and bottom surfaces, an attachment meanslocated on each of the top and bottom surfaces of each modular blocksuch that a bottom surface of any modular block is capable of beingplaced on a top surface of any other modular block in any orientation,and a door module, the door module comprising an inflatable door, anextension, and a hinge, the extension having a first end and a secondend, the hinge joining the first end of the extension and the inflatabledoor, the inflatable door being capable of rotating about the hinge, anattachment device being located on the second end of the extension. 16.The inflatable construction set of claim 15, the inflatable door havingan interior support member located inside the inflatable door, a holebeing formed in the interior support member so that air can freely flowthrough the hole in order to be evenly distributed inside the inflatabledoor.
 17. An inflatable construction set comprising: a plurality ofinflatable modular blocks, each modular block having substantiallyplanar top and bottom surfaces, an attachment means located on each ofthe top and bottom surfaces of each modular block such that a bottomsurface of any modular block is capable of being placed on a top surfaceof any other modular block in any orientation, and a turret module, theturret module comprising an inflatable turret and an extension, theextension having a first end and a second end, the first end of theextension being attached to the inflatable turret, an attachment devicebeing located on the second end of the extension.
 18. An inflatableconstruction set comprising: a plurality of inflatable modular blocks,each modular block having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces,an interior rib located inside each modular block, a first attachmentmeans located on the substantially planar top surface of each modularblock and a second attachment means located on the substantially planarbottom surface of each modular block so that the modular blocks arecapable of being stacked in any orientation.
 19. The inflatableconstruction set of claim 18, wherein each modular block furthercomprises a valve for allowing air in and out of the modular block forinflation and deflation.
 20. An inflatable construction set comprising:a plurality of inflatable modular blocks, each modular block havingsubstantially planar top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of interiorribs positioned at spaced intervals within each modular block, a firstattachment means located on the substantially planar top surface of eachmodular block and a second attachment means located on the substantiallyplanar bottom surface of each modular block so that the modular blocksare capable of being stacked in any orientation.